Eight generations of the Forest family have managed vineyards in Burgundy. It was André Forest, though, in the mid 1900s who committed to the path of a vigneron, stewarding his own wines both on the vine and in the cellar. His first bottling, a mere two barrels, was in 1945. By the 1960s, he’d expanded the family domaine to five hectares and had planted and replanted parcels. The current vines were planted between 1930 and 1979.

André was a man of many talents and interests, including biodynamics and the art of cooperage. His grandson Eric now carries on that legacy, and in doing so, has become well-known as a master of the Mâconnais.

Eric, like his grandfather, has a passion for and strong opinions about the barrels he works with. “What remains in the pores of the wood from the previous vintage I consider to be like a relay, passing the baton to the new vintage,” he says. “I haven’t used batonnage in the barrels for over 10 years but it’s important that the fine lees are in the wine.”

This, his 2022 '24 Carats,' showcases the pinnacle of Eric’s dedication to the craft. The vines, some nearing a century in age, delivered fruit of exceptional quality, thanks to a year of favorable weather and meticulous vineyard care. Harvested later than usual to capture the full essence of the terroir, this wine brims with intensity. On the palate, you'll find layers of golden apple, acacia honey, and candied citrus, all balanced by the characteristic Mâconnais minerality. A profound wine that encapsulates the Forest family’s heritage and the terroir’s brilliance.